Technical Oil for Panda 2015 1.2l

[ChrisDM]

Hi,

Firstly, I'm beyond useless with cars so please excuse my lack of knowledge!

My Panda (1.2 petrol) needs its oil topping up so I went out and picked up some 5W-30 Fully Synthetic oil for it on the advice of the guy working there. I later realised that the information I should have taken with me to the shop was probably in the car handbook, so after checking this I notice it says I need 5W-40...

My question is, is the oil i've picked up suitable for the car? Would it do any damage if used?

I'm hoping someone will be able to give me an answer on this as it'll be back to the shop tomorrow if not.

Thanks

 

[MN500]

5w30 is the wrong oil. Use 5w40 as specified in your handbook, note the Fiat specification number it has to meet, especially important as your car is under warranty. I personally use Castrol Edge 5w40.

 

[Phils panda]

Hi for bottle pics check out my post on oil top up.

 

[ChrisDM]

5w30 is the wrong oil. Use 5w40 as specified in your handbook, note the Fiat specification number it has to meet, especially important as your car is under warranty. I personally use Castrol Edge 5w40.

Didn't think it would be any good. I've taken it back and got the right stuff now

Thanks for your help!

 

[smc4761]

I am getting a wee bit confused here, it does not take much

My 2015 Panda 1.2 is due for its 2 year service next week or so. What oil should the garage be using.

I thought it was SELENIA Digitek 0W 30, but the replies here say a different oil

So which one is correct

Thanks folks

 

[Al D]

0w 30 is used in Twin Air engines. 5w 40 synthetic C3 for the 1.2. On a similar note, I have learnt always check oil when cold or cooled a reasonable time on a flat surface. Car hadn't used any oil. Gravel bit of drive I park on isn't level.

 

[Phils panda]

No thats not what i use.. I use 5w40 Castrol ACEC C GRADE for fiat TA as per main dealer service recipt.

 

[Phils panda]

 

[JCarp16]

On TAs they recommend 0W 30 now. Both my handbook and my dealer seem to agree on that one.

 

[Phils panda]

Well iam sticking with 5w40 full syn as per the service notes from main dealer.Each to their own..
Or better still put a fiver a week away and let the garage have the reacaring headacre.

 

[murphyv310]

Hi.
Although viscosity is a factor the spec of the oil is crucial. The important thing is the ACEA spec of the oil, it should not be below the spec laid down by fiat.
The use of 0W-30 in the 1.2 will be of no detriment in our climate, high speed running and or in a hot climate then I'd be inclined to go with the 5W-40 for greater protection.
Fiat say the oil should be fully synthetic and that really should be adhered to. I'll be doing all my own servicing and will stick with that..... no semi synth oils.

Adding a slightly different viscosity for topping up will do no harm so long as the ACEA ratings are to the relative spec, so don't worry your engine wont blow up.

 

[Al D]

Judging by your maintenance plans Phil your car should last am sure. There's plenty of high mileage cars out there. And you've good history with it. There's far more complicated cars out there than Fiats. 99% of us are pretty happy with reliability am sure.

 

[jimboy]

Never ceases to amaze me over the many years I've been in & out of the trade & the never ending "what oil question" Obviously over the years engines & oils have come a long way. More importantly, frequent oil & filter changes should be given more importance, especially so with stop start driving of today.

An engine will benefit with frequent oil & filter changes more than anything else. But then again some are an advertiser's dream when it comes to oil choice.....

 

[murphyv310]

Perhaps a throw back to my many years of servicing and repairing cars I'll be doing oil and filter changes considerably more often than Fiat recommend. One oil most ignore is in the gearbox, it has no filter and can get contaminated with minute particles of swarf, used to be gearbox oils were replaced in some cars at the first service, one to think about.

 

[jimboy]

Indeed. I suppose the cars I had first were old skool & very easy to work on. Changing the oil & filter plus the gearbox oil was a doddle. Off topic I know, but in my day car maintenance was viewed as pleasure/hobby. Some vehicles nowadays can be a bit challenging to some & tend to get looked at only when things go wrong, & of course there is more electronic toys & distractions these days for the average motorist. Obviously this is not across the board, but what I see/read this is more often than not.

Just my observations.....

 

[murphyv310]

Indeed. I suppose the cars I had first were old skool & very easy to work on. Changing the oil & filter plus the gearbox oil was a doddle. Off topic I know, but in my day car maintenance was viewed as pleasure/hobby. Some vehicles nowadays can be a bit challenging to some & tend to get looked at only when things go wrong, & of course there is more electronic toys & distractions these days for the average motorist. Obviously this is not across the board, but what I see/read this is more often than not.

Just my observations.....

Totally agree.
The Panda though is a lot better than others especially in the 1.2 guise. At least the diy mechanic can do general services without any real hassle.

 

[Phils panda]

My oil.

 

[JCarp16]

My oil.

How frequently do you change it? Fiat suggest once every two years or 18,000 miles (which ever comes first - with the mileage I do that would be the miles) - that seems too long. My TA doesn't seem to use any noticeable amount of oil but I don't like the idea of it swishing about in there for another 15k full of fine metal particles etc...

 

[Phils panda]

Hi ,well. I just change mine once a year. About 7_9000 miles. As its easy enough to do. I am always on the look out for the oil wether its in Wilko or Tesco or Boyes.I never go to halfrauds.My last bottle was on a clearance in wilko for 8.99 bargain.

 

[MN500]

My last bottle was on a clearance in wilko for 8.99 bargain.

The photograph you posted earlier suggests you are talking about a 1 litre bottle of Castrol Edge 5w40 for £8.99. If you have a Costco card it is currently on offer £25.91 for 4 litres (I've just bought two bottles so with the remainder I have in the last bottle I am good for 3 changes now)